Loose-l



Feb. 12, 1929. 1,793,517

R. M. VAN VALKENBURGH LOOSE LEAF'BINDER Filed June 4; 1926 I l INVENTOR. Richard MVanValkenhurGfi 8 to accommodate a v Patented 12, 1929.

RIGHARD'M. VAN VALKENBURGH, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO IRVING- PITT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSDURI, ACORPORATION OF *mrssounr. f

Application filed June This invention relates to, loose-leaf binders and especially to that type of bindereniploying a plurality. of flexible sheet-holding members, such astapes or thongs, andhas for its primary obj eot the provision of a novel means for winding said tapes and holding the same taut after the same have been wound the desired amount. r

A; further object of this invention is the provision of novel locking and actuating means for the thongs or tapes of loose-leaf binders; y i

l/Iany minor objects and advantages of the instant invention will be set forth vin the specification referring to the accompanying drawing in which but one embodiment of this invention is illustrated, and, in which:

' Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a loose-leaf binder having tape actuating and locking means constructed in accordance with this invention. i

' Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional v view taken along the edge of one of the tapes. Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryview taken along the winding and locking means looking toward the rear edge of the bound leaves. 7 Fig. 4c is a detailed view of the lo'cking. element taken on line IV'1V of Fig. 3.

' Fig. 5 isan enlarged longitudinal sectional LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

1926; Serial N0. 113,662;

threaded through a similar leaf-engaging 7 member 16 which is likewise hingedly attached as at 17 to opposite cover 8. In threadingeach of tapes 12 through the leaf engaglng member 16, the same should pass through each of a pair or parallel openings 18 liingedly mounted leaf clamping members,

the structure of a loose-leafbinder Set forthto this point is well known in the art. 4

Simple, 611601311 6 and durable means for winding the tapes and for locking the windingelement in place after it has pulled the tapes sufliciently, constitutes the salient features of this invention, and the same may be constructed. as shown, to include a rotatable tube 19- mounted for free and unrestricted rotary motion in bearings 20, one of which may be rigidly carried'by cover 8 adjacent each of its two edges and at a point near the line of meeting of back 9 therewith. Each 1 bearing 20 is curved upwardly and outwardly as shown in Fig. 1 to support tube 19 behind leaves 10 where it will be completely covered by the flexible back9. It is to be noticed view showing the slidably supported locking- Similar reference numerals refer to like 3 parts throughout the several views of the drawing and the numbers 7 and 8 designate the "two covers of the binder respectively which are joined along their one edge by a flexible back, 9, which permits covers 7 and varying number of sheets 10.

In binders of this type, it is desirable to Tube 19 has an integral flange 21 formed at each of its'ends to engage the edge ofeach bearing 20, respectively, and which precludes the slightest longitudinal movement. Each of the plurality of tapes 12 is fastened to tube 19 1n any suitable manner. In this indiametrically opposite slots through which f the end of tape 12 is passed to be sewed tohold sheets 10 between covers 7 and 8 by employing a plurality of flexible tapes or thongs 12 which are adapted to be woundor tightened and lockedv in place through suitable means hereinafter fully set forth.

In this instance, one end of eachatape 12 is covers 7. This hinge '14: permits the cover 1 their being wound upon tube 19 when to freely swing fromtheclosedto the open- 7 position without exerting a strain upon tapes 12." Each of tapes 12 extends through suit-- '55 ableperforations 15 jof the leaves and is gether, as shown in Fig. 2. It is understood, however, that each. of the tapes 12 may be aflixed to tube 19 in any suitable manner. This particular construction and many other ways of atlixing these tapes will permit of rotated in either direction.

To rotate'the Winding tube 19 and lo ck it in the desired position without imparting longitudinal movement thereto, a rod 22 is mounted therein for longitudinal movement which has integral lugs 28 extending laterally therefromnwhich are slidabl'y, positioned within coractin'g longitudinal slots 24 formed it is in the wall of tube 19. These slots 24- extend inwardly from one end of the tube, limit the longitudinal movement of rod 22 and permits of its rotating thewinding shaft after longitudinal movement is imparted to the rod. The locking means formed integrally with the rod engages a co-acting stationary member, which, in this instance, is bearing adjacent teethassbown in Figs. i and These teeth 26 engage the bearing or any other suitable stationary element which may be provided for that purpose, when rod 22l1as reached the end of its travel in one direction.

Thus, when it is desired to operate the device and tighten tapes 12 when the elements are in the position shown in Fig. l,it is but necessary to grasp member and turn it in the desired direction. This turning of member 25 will impart a like movement to rod 22 which will, in turn, rotate tube 19 by engaging the same through lugs 23 and slot 24. hen the tube 19 has been turned sufficiently to tighten all off the tapes 12, an inward thrust on member 25 will impart longitudinal rectilinear movement to the rod 22 and a tooth 26 will engage on each side of bearing 20 to preclude further rotation of rod 22 and also tube 19.

If desired, tube 19 may be formed of a shaft which is merely hollow for a portion of its length, buti-t is preferred, in practice, to

" use the tube 1-9. The flanges 21 are turned 2 lugs '23 slid in out at each'end and rod 22 is inserted with its in'sl-ots '2 before the bearing 2C) adjac I ed end is curled over the same. Lug 23 will engage the edge of bearin-g 20 when i ne mbe r 25 is pulled outwardly from d e looked to the unlocked. position and limit rther movement in that direction.

It is understood. that many modifications may be made in constructingthe device with yout departing from the scope or the appended described, a rotatable windi is: l

1; In a lomao-leat' binder of the character 7 tube, tapes cured to saidtube,a'ineirrberf =1ounted within said tube for turn-ing'the same in either direc tion to wind thetapes thereon, a stop mounted on said binder and means on said member to engage said stop.

; 2. In a loose-leaf binder of the character described, arotatable winding tube, bearings "for saidtuheamd a member slidably mounted for longitudinal movement within the tube,

hat I desire to secure by Letters Patent said member-having a lateral extension on its outer end for engaging one of said bearings to lock said winding tube against rotation.

3. In aloose-leaf binder of the character described, a rotatable tube, a winding rod slidably mounted for longitudinal movement within the tube and means for limiting the longitudinal. movement of said rod to pre vent withdrawal of said rod from said tube.

In a loose-leaf binder otthe character descr'bed, a tape-winding tube having longitudinally extending guide slots formed therein, an operating rod slidably mounted. within said tube havingmeans for engaging said slots to rotate said'tube and means for locking said rod and tube against rotation relative to said bind-er.

5. In a loose-leaf binder of the cliaraeter described, a bearing, a rotatable tube carried by said bearing, a rod mounted for longitudinalmovement within said tube and projecting from one end thereof, means for limiting the longitudinal movement of said-rod and means integral with the said rod adapted to engage said bearing to lock said. tube against rotation. v V l 6. In a loose-leat binder of the character described, a rotatable tape-Winding member, actuating means carried by said member tor rotation therewith and for relative longitudinal movement therealong, a stop, mounted on said binder and a plurality of locking elements integral with said actuating means for selectively engaging said step.

7 A loose-leaf binder comprising a pair of covers, a flexible back connecting said covers,

a leaf-clamping member hinged-1y secured to each cover, tapes adapted to drawlsaid leafclamping members against the leaves tohold the same in position, a bearing adjacent each edge of one cover, a tape-wind-ing tube journalled in said bearings, said tapes being con' nected to said tube, and means slidably mounted within said tube for locking it against rotation, said means having a; lateral extension positioned to engage one of said bearings when at the end of its movement in one direction.. V

8. A loose-lea t binder comprising a parrot covers. a flexible back connecting said covers, a. lea'telamping member hingedly. secured-to each cover, tapes connecting said leaf-clamping members and adapted to draw the same to the leaf-holding position, abea-ring rigid with one covei zutljaeent each edge t:he-reo2f',a tape- 'winding tube rotatably journalled in said bearings and means mounted within said.

tubes for rectilinear movement-and having a proj ectionat. one :end movable therewith to engage one of said bearings to lock the tube against rotation. i r

9.A tape Winding means for loose. leaf binders including a'tubu'lair member, a slot formed in the wailtof'said twbular member, a

longitudinally movable member-carried within said tubular member, said last named member engaging said slot and rotatable with said fixed top mounted on said binder, a member slidablymounted in said tube at one end thereof, said member having means at its inner end to engage the tube to rotate the same, and havingmeans at the other end to engage said stop to lock said tube against rotation.

12. In a loose leaf binder, a Winding tube, a

stop mounted on said binder adjacent one end of said tube, a member slidably mounted at one end in said tube, said member having an extension on its other end for engaging said stop.

13. In a loose-leaf binder of the character described, a rotatable Winding tube, a stop mounted on said binder, and common means extending Within the tube for turning said tube or for locking the same against rotation upon engagement With said stop.

14. In a loose-leaf binder of the character described, a rotatable Winding tube, a stop mounted on said binder adjacent one end of said tube, means slidably mounted for longitudinal movement therein and having an extension adapted to engage said stop to lock said tube against rotation.

15. In a loose-leaf binder of the character described, a rotatable tape Winding tube, a Winding and locking rod mounted Within said tube for longitudinal movement, a stop mounted on said binder, locking means carried by said rod and movable toward the.

locked position against said stop While the rod is rotating said Winding tube.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature. I

RlCHARD-M. VAN VALKENBURGH. 

